With summer right around the corner (at least is better be!), now seems like the perfect time for a quick sunscreen refresher.

World Health Organization experts believe that simply avoiding overexposure to sunlight could prevent four out of five cases of skin cancer. And no matter how you slice it, the best way to limit exposure to sunlight’s harmful UV rays is sunscreen.

But not all sunscreens are created equal. According to Dr. Craig Kraffert, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and President of Amarte, powder sunscreens can cause more harm than good.

“Powder sunscreen products do not provide a uniformly favorable skin aesthetic. The concerns with powder sunscreens are related to nano-sized and micronized zinc and titanium inhalation as well as the possibility that typical application techniques do not result in enough product being applied to achieve the label SPF,” Kraffert recently explained to SheFinds. “As always, there are situations where powdered sunscreens can serve otherwise unmet sun protection/skin care regimen needs. Nevertheless, I do not advocate powdered sunscreens.”

In addition to being SPF 30 or higher, the most effective sunscreens have to have zinc oxide and titanium oxide.  

“If it does not, it’s really only protecting you against UVB rays and not UVA, which penetrates deeper and causes skin cancers,” Dr. Jason Green, D.O., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Green Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, told SheFinds.

For more information on sunscreen, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website. Stay safe out there y’all!

The most effective sunscreens have to have zinc oxide and titanium oxide.  

— Dr. Jason Green